Chicago, IL death metal band Master has checked in with the following announcement about lining up a U.S. tour for next year:

"Update on the Master U.S. tour 2015 - unfortunately Funebrarum will not be able to do the tour but pleased to announce thrash kings Solstice will be replacing Funebrarum. And we have openers Dismemberment and Hate Storm Annihilation. Going to a amazing tour. We will have dates soon!" More...

Dates that each band performs and running times will not be set until closer to the festival dates.

The organizers are satisfied with the venue situation this year and have decided to use the same set up next year. This means that Maryland Deathfest 2015 will use the Edison Lot (located at 545 N. High St) for the two main stages, Rams Head (located at 20 Market Place) will be used each night and will host death/black metal bands, and Soundstage (located at 124 Market Pl) will be used each day/night for grind/hardcore/punk bands. On Thursday, only Rams Head will be used.

U.S. death metal act Funebrarum is currently on the road in Europe with Denmark's Undergang. According to Xtreem Music, "Don't be a pussy... don't miss this tour! ...or later you'll cry like a fucking pussy!!"

"We have all decided to cancel our appearances at 'The Rites of Darkness Festival' in San Antonio, Texas on December 10-11th due to the fact that the promoter has still not followed through with his promises and obligations to us (tickets, transportation, hotels etc). We apologize to our fans who have already purchased tickets but the situation is beyond our control. We have reached the end of our patience with Daniel Serna and foresee only more problems. Again we are sorry to have to make this decision but this treatment and unprofessional behavior is unacceptable!!"

Evoken also added:

"Apologies for those looking forward to seeing Evoken as well as our brothers Disma and Funebrarum. We promise to make it up to those who paid their hard earned money to see us. This wasn't a decision taken light.

"We're not here to slam anyone, but being one of the first bands announced for the festival, it should not take up until one week before a performance to receive any information. We will not re-consider, we will not compromise."

Further details on the Rites of Darkness festival and updates from the festival organizers can be found at this location.

The Maryland Deathfest organizers report that "Sonar will be re-opening before MDF, and technically they already have."

As previously reported, the venue of the Maryland Deathfest was up in the air when Baltimore's Sonar nightclub failed to renew their liquor license and closed its doors.

The organizers futher commented: "These last couple of days have been incredibly confusing and stressful, but we are currently back to the regularly scheduled program. And don't worry, beyond plan B is a plan C, because that's how we roll. See you in a couple of weeks."

The ninth annual Maryland Deathfest has announced the final lineup and set times for the event. However, not long after announcing these details came word that the Baltimore venue, Sonar, unexpectedly closed its doors today. The festival organizers claim to have a backup plan that should involve little to no inconvenience to ticket holders (even those coming from out of town) and will be releasng more details soon.

Sweden's Death Breath is the latest band to be confirmed for the 2011 edition of the Maryland Death Festival. Next year's festival will take place from May 26th - 29th, 2011. Further details on the festival can be found at this location. The currently announced lineup is as follows: More...

New Jersey based death metal band Funebrarum is the latest act to be confirmed for the 2011 edition of the Maryland Death Fest, which is set to take place from May 27th - 29th in Baltimore. The currently announced lineup is as follows:

U.S. underground death metal band Funebrarum has signed to Cyclone Empire to release their first full length of new material since their hiatus four years ago. The band was formed by guitarist Nick Orlando (EVOKEN) and vocalist Daryl Kahan (Abazagorath) in April of 1999, with the intention of creating dark, nihilistic, crushing, morbid death metal. With fellow Abazagorath and Evoken member Dario Derna filling in on drums, the band recorded their debut demo "Triumphant Ascent" later that same year. Though the sound quality of the rushed recording was extremely crude, the material was well received by the underground metal hordes. The core line-up was solidified with the addition of Abazagorath bassist David Wagner providing the destructive low end. The first complete line-up was finalized with the addition of drummer Brian Jimenez. More...